Don Kiely contends that exercising administrative rights over our computers is a major cause of insecure systems. In the first of five articles, he explains the concept of "least privilege" and shows why software developers should be happy to operate as "mere users."  Read more...

If you run PowerChute 6.x on any of your servers, be very careful of patching and rebooting them. You might end up with more downtime and problems than you expected.   Read more...

Most skilled professionals—be they butchers, bakers or software makers—take pride in selecting their own tools of the trade. Why is it then that developers and DBAs in large corporations often are not afforded the same professional courtesy or opportunity? The tools they use are just as vital to their livelihood, yet when it comes to high-cost software, developers and DBAs often have no input into what is purchased for their use.  Read more...

Just a little older than SQLServerCentral.com, SQLTeam.com has been another great community for SQL Server developers. A look back from Bill Granazio  Read more...

Judging by mainstream news coverage over the past few weeks, the issue of data theft, particularly loss of backup tapes, has reached the tipping point. It might mean that your relatively anonymous existence within your company could come to a screeching halt. A look at how encrpytion might be if importance to your company.  Read more...

J.D. Edwards was big on Systems Thinking, a way of looking at your systems and improving their functions. It was applied it to IT to become one of the top IT organizations to work for. Read some of these articles for an overview of how this works.  Read more...

In 2004 is the IT industry expanding or contracting? Is your job secure? Steve Jones recently completed a survey and just got the results. Read this short summary of the results.   Read more...

The SQL Server ports 1433, was blocked recently by an ISP. New Author Denny Figuerres read our release and decided to bring you some comments about why this isn't such a bad idea. Read on and see if you agree that blocking the SQL Server ports shouldn't present you any problems.   Read more...

It's not often that we toot our horn, but SQLServerCentral.com was chosen as the feature site by GotDotNet.com, one of Microsoft's premier .Net sites. Check it out!  Read more...

Although Brian likes that Microsoft delayed the next release of SQL Server for quality, he disagrees with the release strategy. See his opinion and argue your own!   Read more...

A little off topic (or is it?), David needed to vent a little - something we can all appreciate. Meant to be light hearted fun, please don't take too seriously.   Read more...

New Author! Written as a rant, this article covers a couple basic issues that STILL tend to get overlooked in a lot of places. It's run to rant sometimes but we plan to maintain our focus and continue to keep these a small percentage of our content. Let us know what you think.   Read more...

In his travels, Christopher Duncan has come to recognize a great many similarities between programmers and musicians. Both have the fire, passion and soul of the artist. And all too often, both are aweful when it comes to the business end of things. Business - you know, that aspect of your work where they actually pay you at the end of the day?   Read more...

It's common knowledge among programmers that most of the ills of the software industry, and most particularly the companies where we work, could be solved by simply letting the technical people make the technical decisions. Obviously, since this is so incredibly logical and sensible, it's a given that most companies leave management decisions to managers, and technical decisions to the computer guys.   Read more...

In this view, Steve thinks that certifications are invaluable (especially in this economy).   Read more...

Andy Warren thinks certifications are worthless. That's opinion came after he obtained his MCDBA and MCSE certification. Find out why he thinks you should not be certified in this debate with Steve Jones.   Read more...

A new series on SQL Server Central - Two of our regular columnists take opposing looks at certification. In our first of the series, Steve Jones takes on Andy Warren in a certification debate.   Read more...

If you see a priest outside your cubical, beware! He could be trying to read you your last rites. If he hasn't showed up yet, don't worry, he'll be over shortly because the production DBA is dead or will be shortly.   Read more...

Answers to the SQL quiz that Steve Jones used to give to prospective employees.   Read more...

This article examines the hiring practices of Steve Jones and provides some ideas for how to choose between candidates.   Read more...

If you run PowerChute 6.x on any of your servers, be very careful of patching and rebooting them. You might end up with more downtime and problems than you expected.   Read more...

Don Kiely contends that exercising administrative rights over our computers is a major cause of insecure systems. In the first of five articles, he explains the concept of "least privilege" and shows why software developers should be happy to operate as "mere users."  Read more...

A little off topic (or is it?), David needed to vent a little - something we can all appreciate. Meant to be light hearted fun, please don't take too seriously.   Read more...